Given the decline in performance in German fencing since 2012, systematic athletic training has become increasingly important in youth development. This study is the first to investigate the effects of structured athletic training on physical performance parameters in German youth fencing.In a twelve-month interventional cohort study, 22 youth fencers (aged 13-17 years) from a performance centre were examined. The intervention group (n=12) completed 60 minutes of structured athletic training per week in addition to regular fencing training, while the control group (n=10) performed an exclusively fencing-specific training. Pre- and post-tests included standing long jump, 10m sprint, T-test, rotational throw, Bourban test, and beep test. The intervention group also underwent Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance test, and Skillcourt assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, supplemented by effect sizes (Cohen's d).Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in explosive strength (sprint: p=0.023, d=1.31; T-test: p=0.043, d=1.00; rotational throw right: p=0.023, d=1.05; left: p=0.003, d=1.44) and endurance (beep test: p=0.002, d=1.54). Core stability showed a trend towards significance (p=0.065, d=0.84). Within the intervention group, flexibility improved significantly (FMS: p=0.002, d=1.14; Y-Balance lower extremity right: p=0.012; left: p=0.019).Structured athletic training produces large to very large training effects in fencing-relevant physical performance parameters. The results provide evidence-based support for the integration of systematic athletic training into youth development programmes in German fencing.

Abstract A vapour cloud explosion (VCE) is often deemed one of the most likely scenarios following an unintended release of flammable gas during road transport. Such VCEs produce a blast wave that propagates away from the explosion, potentially causing significant damage and loss of life. The severity of the generated blast loading depends on the VCE’s strength. However, there is currently a noticeable lack of knowledge about the strength of VCEs on urban roads or related settings (such as carparks). This makes estimating the blast load characteristics challenging and imprecise. This study applied computational fluid dynamics to evaluate the strength of several VCE scenarios in a traffic environment. The scenarios consisted of groups of vehicles engulfed by a stoichiometric mixture of propane and air. The influence of parameters, such as the number of vehicles, the separation distance between vehicles, and the gas volume, was investigated using the principles of factorial design. The number of vehicles in the transverse direction had the most significant effect on the resulting overpressure. Indeed, the results indicated that this parameter alone may be sufficient for a conservative estimate of the strength of VCEs in a traffic environment.

Background and purpose Physical training of basketball players aged 13–14 is an extremely important stage, since this period coincides with the active phase of pubertal development and a sensitive window for the formation of many motor qualities. The purpose of the study: to develop and experimentally verify the effectiveness of a comprehensive methodology for using fitness technologies to ensure the comprehensive development of physical abilities of young basketball players. Material and methods Participants of the study: 20 young basketball players from the sports reserve of the Comprehensive Children's and Youth Sports School No. 2 of the Kharkiv City Council, who were divided into a control and experimental group of 10 people each. The age of the subjects was 13–14 years. All children and parents gave their consent to participate in the experiment. Methods: analysis of scientific sources, methods of testing physical abilities, methods of mathematical statistics. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Results The control group program included traditional exercises for the development of general, traditional for basketball, special and general physical training exercises. The complex training approach applied in the experimental group involved a combination of functional exercises, plyometrics, high-intensity interval training and corrective techniques, which allows simultaneously developing strength, explosiveness, coordination, and endurance. It was found that the test results of the athletes of the experimental group were higher compared to the results of the control group. Significant differences were recorded in the explosive strength of the lower extremities (p<0.01), which confirms the effectiveness of the applied plyometric and speed-strength exercises, as well as in the "vertical jump" test (p<0.05), which indicates the positive effect of the proposed method on the development of explosive strength and power. Conclusions It is shown that the application of the developed methodology allows optimizing the training process, making it more functional, intensive and safe for young athletes, which is the basis for preparing a high-quality sports reserve.

Lower extremity muscle strength and balance control are crucial components in high-level trampolining. However, current research on these aspects remains limited. This study aimed to explore the activity patterns of lower limb muscle groups and the balance characteristics of elite trampoline athletes in China, with a focus on comparing male and female athletes. Eleven elite trampolining athletes from the China national team (age: 23.42 ± 4.40 years; height: 165.37 ± 4.33 cm; weight: 53.38 ± 3.42 kg; training duration: 8.3 ± 2.61 years; M/F: 5/6) were required to test the electromyography (EMG), static balance, and plantar pressure. The Two-way ANOVA was adopted to compare the differences between sexes and lower limbs. The results showed significant gender differences in muscle activity during the net contact stage. Male athletes had higher Root Mean Square (RMS) values for the gastrocnemius (P < 0.01), with significant left-right differences in contribution rates (P < 0.05). In static balance, female athletes showed stronger right-side balance under closed-eye conditions (P < 0.05), while male athletes had stronger left-side balance under open-eye conditions (P < 0.01). Additionally, male athletes exhibited higher total plantar pressure on the left side (P < 0.01). This study reveals that during the net contact phase, male and female athletes exhibit distinct lower limb dynamics, with males showing a leftward shift in center of gravity and significant right ankle force, while both genders demonstrate heel-dominant plantar pressure and left-right balance differences, emphasizing the need for targeted unilateral balance and right ankle explosive strength training.

To investigate the effect of unilateral compound training on lower limb explosive strength in sprint athletes, with the aim of improving athletic performance. Participants were selected from sprint athletes at Beijing Sport University and randomly assigned to either the unilateral compound training group or the bilateral compound training group. The unilateral compound training group performed Bulgarian split squats, while the bilateral compound training group performed traditional barbell back squats. Both groups used 85% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) as the training load, completing 4 sets of 5 repetitions with 6 minutes rest between sets and 3 minutes rest between repetitions, over a 6-week intervention period. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included countermovement jump (CMJ) height, rate of force development (RFD), peak power, 30-meter sprint time, and standing long jump performance. (1) The unilateral compound training group showed significant improvements in CMJ height, RFD, peak power, 30-meter sprint time, and standing long jump performance (P &lt; 0.01). (2) The bilateral compound training group also exhibited significant improvements in CMJ height, RFD, peak power, 30-meter sprint time, and standing long jump performance (P &lt; 0.01). (3) When comparing the two training groups, the unilateral compound training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in CMJ’s RFD, 30-meter sprint time, and standing long jump performance (P &lt; 0.01), while no significant difference was found in CMJ height and peak power (P &gt; 0.05). Both unilateral and bilateral compound training can enhance explosive strength in sprint athletes. Unilateral compound training is more effective in improving RFD and sprint performance, while bilateral compound training has a greater effect on standing long jump performance.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week moderate-intensity continuous running program on key performance parameters in national-level cross-country athletes. The research focused on determining how such training influences endurance capacity, speed, agility, explosive power, and flexibility—components that play a critical role in the complex physiological and mechanical demands of cross-country running. Method: A total of 30 national-level cross-country athletes participated in this study. A single-group pre-test/post-test design was used. Athletes completed an 8-week moderate-intensity continuous running program in addition to their regular training. Performance assessments included Wingate anaerobic power, 30 m sprint, Illinois agility test, 20 m shuttle run, standing long jump, and sit-and-reach flexibility tests. Pre- and post-training values were compared using paired samples t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Results: Significant improvements were observed across all performance parameters following the 8-week training program (p &lt; 0.001). Athletes demonstrated increases in anaerobic power, aerobic endurance, explosive strength, and flexibility, accompanied by decreases in sprint and agility times. All variables showed very large effect sizes, indicating strong physiological and neuromuscular adaptations in response to moderate-intensity continuous loads. Conclusion: The findings indicate that moderate-intensity continuous running is an effective and sustainable training method for enhancing multidimensional performance in national-level cross-country athletes. The program produced robust improvements even in high-performance individuals, highlighting the importance of including well-planned moderate-intensity endurance sessions in training models..

Background/Objectives: A review of the current literature does not provide a clear answer regarding the effectiveness of incorporating stretching exercises into warm-ups on performance and improving motor skills. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a single application of sciatic neuromobilization and static stretching of the hamstring muscles on lower limb explosiveness, expressed by height of countermovement jump (CMJ) test. Methods: The study included 39 physically active men aged 20 to 26 (mean age 21.4 ± 2.2 years). Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1. neuromobilization, 2. static stretching, 3. control group—no intervention. Immediately after the intervention, a CMJ test was performed. Jump height was measured at four timings: 1. before stretching (Pre), 2. immediately after (Post_0), 3. after 5 min (Post_5), 4. and after 10 min (Post_10). Results: Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in CMJ height between the neuromobilization and static groups and between the neuromobilization and control groups (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the static and control groups (p = 0.073). Post hoc comparisons revealed substantially higher vertical jump height in the neuromobilization group compared with the static group. Hedges’ g indicated a very large magnitude of effect, with values ranging from 3.73 to above 4.10. Conclusions: Neuromobilization induces short-term activation of lower limb muscles, resulting in increased explosive strength, whereas hamstrings static stretching of them does not positively impact short-term power generation.

Volleyball requires repeated explosive actions, agility, and technical precision, demanding contributions from both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Time-efficient training methods such as resistance-based high intensity interval training (HIIT) and high intensity functional training (HIFT) have been proposed to enhance multidimensional performance in young athletes. However, direct comparisons of their effects in adolescent female volleyball players are limited. Thirty-two licensed female volleyball players (aged 15-18 years) were randomly assigned to a resistance-based HIIT group (n = 10), a HIFT group (n = 11), or a control group (n = 11). The training interventions lasted 12 weeks with two supervised sessions per week, in addition to regular volleyball practice. The HIIT program consisted of progressive resistance-based high intensity intervals performed at 85-95% HRmax, while the HIFT program comprised multimodal circuit-style functional exercises performed at comparable intensities (~ 85-95% HRmax). Performance assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention and included the countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), medicine ball throw (MBT), pro-agility test, 20m sprint, repeated sprint fatigue index (RSI), volleyball skill test, Yo-Yo IR1 distance, VO₂max, blood lactate concentration, and maximal heart rate (MaxHR). Data were analyzed using a 3 × 2 mixed-model ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests, and effect sizes were reported as Cohen's d and partial eta squared (ηp²). Significant Group × Time interactions were observed for CMJ (F(2,29) = 9.14, p < 0.001, ηp²=0.39), SLJ (F(2,29) = 12.08, p < 0.001, ηp²=0.45), VO₂max (F(2,29) = 11.53, p < 0.001, ηp²=0.44), MaxHR (F(2,29) = 3.56, p = 0.041, ηp²=0.20), and volleyball skill test (F(2,29) = 7.44, p = 0.002, ηp²=0.34). HIFT produced the greatest improvements in explosive power (CMJ Δ=+5.15cm; SLJ Δ=+12.82cm), RSI (Δ=-1.56), and volleyball skill performance (Δ=+13.18 points), with large effect sizes (d = 1.3-3.2). HIIT showed relatively greater improvements in aerobic capacity (VO₂max Δ=+0.90ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) and endurance (d = 0.7-2.0). No significant between-group differences were observed for lactate. Both resistance-based HIIT and HIFT proved effective in improving several physical and volleyball-specific performance components in adolescent female players. HIIT produced slightly greater gains in aerobic capacity, while HIFT showed larger numerical improvements in explosive strength, agility, and technical skill performance; however, these between-intervention differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the findings suggest that each modality offers complementary benefits, and integrating both HIIT and HIFT may provide a balanced conditioning approach for the holistic development of youth volleyball athletes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07181031. Registered on September 04, 2025.

ملخص تأثير التمارين المقاومة داخل وسط المائي في تطوير القوة الانفجارية وتحمل السرعة لدى لاعبي شباب بكرة القدم كارزان احمد كريم كلية التربية البدنية وعلوم الرياضة-جامعة صلاح الدين/أربيل Karzan.a.kareem@su.edu.krd يهدف البحث الى اعداد تمارين المقاومة داخل وسط المائي لدى لاعبين الشباب بكرة القدم والتعرف على تأثير التمارين المقاومة داخل وسط المائي في تطوير القوة الانفجارية والتحمل السرعة لدى افراد المجموعة التجريبية. استخدم الباحث المنهج التجريبـي بتصميم مجموعتين متساويتين وذلك لملائمته مع طبيعة البحث والاجراءاته، أما عينة البحث فقد تم أختيار شباب نادي برايتي بطريقة عمدية والبالغ عددهم (24) لاعباً تم توزيعهم على مجموعتين تجريبية وضابطة بواقع (12) لاعبا في كل مجموعة . وقد قام الباحث بإعداد التمارين المقاومة داخل وسط المائي مع استخدام طريقة التدريب الفتري مرتفع الشدة يلائم الفئة السنية وتكون المنهج من (24) وحدة تدريبـية المقسم الی (8) أسابيع ولكل اسبوع (3) وحدات تدريبـية مع مراعاة حركة تموج الحمل 1:3 للتدرج في شدة الوحدات التدريبـية،وللحصول على نتائج دقيقة استخدم الباحث الحقيبة الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS v.16) ومن ثم عرضها وتحليلها ومناقشتها. وعلى ضوء النتائج إستنتج الباحث مايأتي: أثبت التمارينبالمقاومة داخل الوسط المائي فعاليته في تحسين مستوى القوة الانفجارية للمجموعة التجريبية، حيث ظهرت فروق معنوية لصالح القياسات البعدية، مما يدل على أن البيئة المائية يمكن أن تكون وسيلة تدريبية فعّالة لتطوير هذا النوع من القوة. أما ابرز التوصيات فكانت كالآتي: دمج التدريب بالمقاومة داخل الوسط المائي في البرامج الإعدادية للاعبي كرة القدم، خصوصًا في مراحل تطوير القوة الانفجارية، مع المحافظة على شدة وتكرار مناسبين.

Basketball is a highly popular and complex sport classified as a monostructural activity. Various anthropometric parameters determine elite performance achievement in basketball. Morphological characteristics and motor abilities have been established as the most significant predictors of basketball success. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the in&amp;#64258;uence of longitudinal dimensionality on explosive strength in young basketball players. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the impact of longitudinal dimensionality on the explosive strength of young basketball players. The sample comprised 15 cadet-level basketball players (age: 15.8 &amp;plusmn; 0.6 years; body weight: 77.86 &amp;plusmn; 8.37 kg; body mass index: 23.99 &amp;plusmn; 1.01 kg/m&amp;sup2;). The set of measurement instruments included four variables for assessing explosive strength: Standing Long Jump (LJ), 20-Meter Sprint (RUN20m), Medicine Ball Throw from Supine Position (TMBL), and Medicine Ball Throw from Seated Position (TMBS); and five variables for measuring longitudinal dimensionality: Body Height (BH), Forearm Length (FL), Upper Arm Length (UAL), Lower Leg Length (LLL), and Upper Leg Length (ULL). The impact of longitudinal dimensionality on explosive strength in young basketball players was assessed using linear regression. Statistical analyses were conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics software (Version 20). Linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant impact of longitudinal dimensionality on the explosive strength of young basketball players.

Information on coaching practices related to specialized training programs that affect speed and strength qualities in 14-15-year-old basketball players is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a specialized, periodized training program on the development of speed-strength qualities in 14-15-year-old boys playing basketball. Nineteen basketball players aged 14.5&amp;plusmn; 0.5 years who participated in a regular, well-organized training program were studied. A specialized methodology was applied for 5 months, from October 2024 to March 2025. Training sessions were held three times a week, with a wave distribution of intensity: Monday &amp;ndash; high-intensity pure strength; Wednesday &amp;ndash; explosive focus with variations and sprints; and Friday &amp;ndash; emphasis on contrasting methods, including plyometrics and medicine ball throws. To determine the effect, a test battery of 10 tests was applied, including anthropometric measurements (height, weight, horizontal and vertical stretch) and physical fitness indicators (10 m and 20 m running, 5-0-5 test, long jump, push-ups with hands on hips, and isometric pull from mid-hip). The trainings were held three times a week, with a wave distribution of intensity: Monday &amp;ndash; high-intensity pure strength; Wednesday &amp;ndash; explosive focus with different variations and sprints; and Friday &amp;ndash; emphasis on contrasting methods, including plyometrics and medicine ball throws. To determine the effect, a test battery of 10 tests was applied, including anthropometric measurements (height, weight, horizontal and vertical stretch) and physical fitness indicators (10 m and 20 m running, 5-0-5 test, long jump, push-ups with hands on hips, and isometric pull from mid-hip). After implementing the program, the basketball players showed statistically significant improvements in agility (5-0-5 test), upper-body strength, and lower-body strength (hands-on-hips jump and isometric pull from mid-hip). Positive developments were also observed in speed and explosive lower limb strength across other indicators, such as the 10 m and 20 m sprints and the long jump, although these improvements were not statistically significant. The results confirm the positive impact of a specialized, periodized strength-training program, which has been proven to enhance the development of speed-strength qualities in 14-15-year-old basketball players. This contributes to higher sports performance and injury prevention.

The purpose of the study is to identify the most effective methods that will help enhance the relevance of the Russian national team's preparation plans and increase its competitiveness. Research methods and organization. The study employed the following methods: medical and biological testing – recording the results of tests conducted on the men's national team over the past three seasons; statistical analysis – processing the collected data using statistical methods to identify patterns and trends; comparative analysis – comparing test results with the athletes' performance in games. The study was conducted based on data obtained by the staff of the Analytical Department of the Central Sports Team of the Russian Federation. Over the course of three seasons, various tests were carried out to identify weaknesses in the athletes' training and to continuously adjust the training process. All testing was conducted in Kislovodsk, at the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Yug Sport,” using modern equipment. Research results and conclusions. The analysis conducted showed that the most significant factor for performance in curling is explosive strength (MAP). At the same time, parameters such as hand dynamometry, bioimpedance, and stabilometry require more detailed study, as their impact on game efficiency may vary depending on the individual characteristics of athletes.

Background: Football is a sport that requires a high level of technical, tactical, and motor skills, with particular emphasis on agility, speed, explosive strength, and flexibility. The development of these abilities depends on biological maturity, training experience, and individual factors, which affect player performance across different age categories. Purpose: The aim was to examine and compare the level of motor abilities between football players of FC GOŠK Gabela (Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the junior (U19) and senior (U25) age categories, focusing on key elements such as agility, speed, explosive and repetitive strength, as well as flexibility. Method: The sample consisted of 22 players from the same club, divided into two groups by age category: 11 juniors (U19) (body height = 181.56 ± 5.74 cm; body weight = 73.29 ± 6.40 kg; BMI = 22.21 kg/m²) and 11 seniors (U25) (body height = 184.98 ± 5.97 cm; body weight = 77.35 ± 5.70 kg; BMI = 22.55 ± 0.38 kg/m²). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and differences between groups were determined using an independent t-test for small samples. Statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. Mean Difference and 95% Confidence Intervals were also calculated to further assess the significance and effect size of the detected differences (Cohen’s d). Results: Seniors achieved significantly better results in agility tests (Illinois and Zig-Zag tests) and the 60-meter sprint, while differences in other tests were statistically insignificant (p &gt; 0.05). Differences in upper body explosive strength (medicine ball throw) and flexibility were not significant, although seniors showed slightly better average values. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that biological maturity and longer training experience significantly influence the improvement of motor abilities, especially agility and speed over longer distances.

Before returning to sport (RTS) following lower extremity injury, competitive alpine skiers’ performance strength profiles should be verified. This study examined whether differences in maximal isometric (Fmax) and explosive strength (Pmax) exist between non-injured (n_INJ) and post-injured (p_INJ) elite skiers (n = 56) after RTS. It also explored whether Fmax and Pmax values recover differently over time and whether restoration rates differ between males and females. An explorative analysis was conducted to determine differences in back-squat Fmax and Pmax during squat (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) without and with additional load. Data were available from before injury and after athletes’ RTS for p_INJ or twice across a comparable time span for n_INJ. While differences between n_INJ and p_INJ after rehabilitation are not significant for Fmax, p_INJ generally display significantly lower Pmax (r = 0.34–0.40). Additionally, results suggest that Fmax is restored first, followed by Pmax without eccentric component (SJ), and that Pmax (CMJ) with eccentric component is restored slowest. Further, p_INJ showed lower Pmax in loaded jumps even before injury (p = 0.035–0.047, r = 0.36–0.39). Finally, females display generally lower Pmax for a given Fmax. Overall, these results contribute to improving rehabilitation and prevention.

Menek, B, Dansuk, E, and Arslan, T. The effects of soft tissue mobilization and vibration therapy on balance, explosive strength, and functional performance in elite rowers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-This study aimed to examine the acute effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and percussion massage therapy (PMT) on balance, explosive strength, and muscle performance in elite rowers. Forty-five elite-level rowers were randomly allocated to 3 groups: IASTM (n = 15), PMT (n = 15), and control (n = 15). All interventions were administered once under standardized conditions. Outcome measures included the Y Balance Test (YBT) for dynamic balance, the Triple Hop Test (THT) for explosive strength, and handheld dynamometry for quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle strength. Significant improvements in YBT scores were observed in both IASTM and PMT groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Triple Hop Test results revealed a significant increase in nondominant limb jump distances in both intervention groups (p < 0.05), with no changes in the control group or in dominant limb performance (p > 0.05). In the PMT group, quadriceps and gastrocnemius strength significantly increased across all parameters (p < 0.05). In the control group, only nondominant quadriceps strength improved (p < 0.05). In contrast, the IASTM group showed significant reductions in both muscle groups (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons showed no significant differences between IASTM and PMT groups for balance or explosive strength outcomes (p > 0.05); however, PMT outperformed IASTM in muscle strength measures (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a single session of PMT led to acute improvements in balance, nondominant limb explosive strength, and muscle strength in elite rowers. Although IASTM improved balance and explosive performance, it reduced muscle strength. PMT may be more suitable for use in preactivity warm-up routines to enhance neuromuscular readiness in elite athletes.

Badminton players normally prioritize technical and tactical training over physical conditioning before competition, presenting a challenge in enhancing physical fitness within a constrained timeframe. While evidence have indicated complex contrast training can enhance strength and power, it is still unclear whether the French Contrast Method Training (FCMT) can bring greater explosive power gains to young badminton players. This study evaluated the effects of French Contrast Method Training versus Complex Training on lower limb explosive strength and its endurance in elite adolescent male badminton players. In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 20 athletes were allocated to either an FCMT group (n = 10) or a CT group (n = 10) and completed an 8-week intervention. Performance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using standardized tests, including countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat, and lower extremity explosive endurance (LEEE). Subjective fatigue was monitored using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Results demonstrated that while both training modalities improved explosive strength, the French Contrast Method Training led to significantly greater improvements in CMJ, DJ, Reaction Strength Index (RSI), EUR, agility, and LEEE (p < 0.05). The French Contrast Method Training also induced a larger effect size across most performance indicators. In contrast, the Complex Training improved strength and speed-related measures but showed limited effects on stretch-contraction cycle (SSC) utilization and endurance. Perceived fatigue was consistently higher in the CT group than in the FCMT group. These findings suggest that adaptation occurred more rapidly in the CT group (after roughly 3 weeks), whereas the FCMT group showed a more prolonged adaptation period (~1 month). The findings suggest that the French Contrast Method Training is more effective than the Complex Training in developing reactive strength, agility, SSC efficiency, and explosive endurance in youth badminton athletes within a short-term training period. Given its neuromechanical advantages across the force–velocity spectrum, the French Contrast Method Training is recommended for use in the pre-competition phase of training, while Complex Training may be more suitable for foundational strength development. These results provide practical insights for coaches and support the strategic integration of French Contrast Method Training into performance enhancement programs for adolescent athletes.

This study investigates the effects of a structured motor intervention program on the development of lower limb strength in junior athletes practicing Greco-Roman wrestling. Recognizing the crucial role of explosive strength in performing technical and decisive actions during combat, the research introduces a progressive, applied training protocol tailored to the neuromotor development of children aged 10 to 12 years (control group: M = 11.14, SD = 1.10; experimental group: M = 11.07, SD = 0.83). Conducted over 17 months, the study involved two groups of 14 registered wrestlers each from School Sports Club No. 5 in Bucharest. The experimental group participated in a complementary motor training program emphasizing plyometric drills, bodyweight strength exercises, and wrestling-specific movements, while the control group continued with the standard training routine. The intervention’s impact was evaluated using the OptoJump Next system, a biomechanical analysis tool measuring key indicators of explosive strength—jump height, ground contact time, flight time, and reactive strength index (RSI)—through the single-leg counter-movement jump (CMJ) test. Comparative analysis of pre- and post-intervention results showed significant improvements in neuromotor performance among athletes in the experimental group, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. This research thus provides a reproducible, evidence-based intervention model with direct applicability in optimizing the training of young Greco-Roman wrestlers.

Lower Limb Plyometric Workouts: Effects on Explosive Strength, Balance, and Landing Strategies in Artistic Gymnastics

Falls are a leading cause of disability and mortality in older adults. Muscle strength, neuromuscular activation, and balance, particularly the push-pull ratio (PPR), play key roles in fall prevention. The purpose of this study is to analyze among muscle strength, time to peak force (TP), and PPR between fallers and non-fallers in nursing home residents. A total of 51 older adults participated in the study. Participants were classified as fallers or non-fallers based on their fall history in the past year. Isometric muscle strength assessments were conducted using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) to evaluate knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion, bilateral seated bench press, and bilateral seated row. The PPR was calculated as the ratio of push to pull peak force (PF). No significant differences were found in knee extension or upper limb strength parameters. However, fallers exhibited significantly higher ankle dorsiflexion PF (p=0.013), mean force (MF) (p=0.034), and impulse (p=0.011), along with a longer TP (p=0.017). Additionally, fallers demonstrated a significantly lower PPR (p=0.032), indicating a possible imbalance between pushing and pulling movements. These findings suggest that fallers may rely more on dorsiflexor strength, potentially as a compensatory mechanism for deficits in proximal muscle activation. The lower PPR highlights the importance of muscle balance in postural stability. Future interventions should consider targeted neuromuscular training to enhance explosive strength, improve muscle coordination, and reduce fall risk in older adults.

Background In the triple jump event, the explosive power, coordination, and specialized performance of lower limb muscles are key factors determining athletes’ performance. However, traditional high load resistance training has limitations in improving athletes’ lower limb coordination and sustained explosive power. Objective The main purpose of the study is to investigate the training effect of low-load resistance combined with single-leg pressurized exercise method on athletes’ lower limb muscle explosive power, coordination, and special performance. Method For the study, twenty male triple jumpers were enlisted and split into ten-person experimental and control groups at random. The training effects of conventional single-leg high load resistance training and low-load resistance mixed with single-leg compression training were compared using the experimental approach. The experimental duration was 8 weeks. Before and after the experiment, the athletes’ lower limb muscle circumference, body composition, lower limb dynamic balance ability, isokinetic strength, counter movement jump, one repetition maximum squats, key performance indicators of lower limb explosive power, and triple jump special scores were tested. Results After an eight-week training period, the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group across key performance metrics. Specifically, the experimental group showed superior gains in lower limb muscle circumference, dynamic balance, isokinetic peak torque, and maximum power in the countermovement jump ( p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, their 1RM squat strength and triple jump performance were also significantly enhanced. Conclusion It shows that the low-load resistance combined with single-leg pressurization exercise method can effectively improve the athletes’ lower limb explosive power, coordination, and special performance. This provides a reliable lower limb explosive power training program for athletes and coaches.